It is the second semester of your senior year. You’re skipping assignments that seem optional, half-studying for very important tests, and staying home when days feel insignificant. It’s a common phenomenon called “Senioritis,” and it creates the illusion of a low stakes senior year.
When your college applications are submitted and you have a rough outline of the next four years of your life, it is extremely easy to lose your drive. A huge motivation throughout high school is over and a weight is lifted off many people’s chests. Some people see the word “admitted” from their dream school and believe they have nothing left to do except wait. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Many students underestimate how closely colleges continue to monitor academic performance after acceptance. If you allow senioritis to take over, the consequences can be severe, including the revocation of scholarships or even college admission.
“Every year, colleges rescind offers of admission, put students on academic probation, or alter financial aid packages due to ‘senioritis,’” the College Board explains.
“Colleges may reserve the right to deny admission to an accepted applicant should the student’s senior-year grades drop.”
For seniors like Layla VanRoosendaal, the reality of senioritis hit harder than she ever could have expected.
“I heard throughout high school about senioritis, and I always believed it wouldn’t affect me,” VanRoosendaal said. “Now that I am a senior, I can acknowledge it is very easy to fall victim to. It is very challenging because you lose motivation to do work, go to school, and other basic things that would have been easy tasks in prior years.”
For teachers, senioritis can be both understandable and challenging to manage.
“I feel sympathetic because students have a lot going on in their lives and they are exhausted from working hard for the past four years. They get into college and finally feel relieved,” Ms. Sneed, science teacher at CHS says.
“I do get frustrated when seniors stop trying and their grades tank second semester,” said Sneed.
When asked what message she would give to seniors, Sneed highlighted the value of balance.
“Still enjoy your time as a senior, enjoy being a kid. You have a lot of time to be an adult and to gain more responsibilities. It is important to continue to learn throughout your senior year and to make memories with your peers.”
There’s so many exciting things coming to seniors after high school. While it’s easy to feel burnout knowing it is almost over, it is important to stay focused and finish out strong.
